Sunday Of Unity

Veteran Philly R&B radio station WDAS 105.3 FM hosted its Unity Weekend on the Waterfront as a celebration of 30 years of unity. For the first time in the station's history, the annual event has changed locations from the Ben Franklin Parkway to Penn's Landing's Great Plaza. In addition to site switch, the festival's line-up has been split into two, giving attendees an extra day of entertainment.

Belmo, our friend, Skyi, and myself arrived towards the end of the day when we caught the headliner of the concert series, R&B/Soul singer, KEM, who performed a set of his many hits such as "Love Calls", "I Can't Stop Loving You", along with a rendition of Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much".








KEM being police escorted offstage.

concert stage left

Spirit of Philadelphia cruising upriver




Curtis, Belmo, and Skyi

Shaft Friday

With the summer season standing on its last leg, Belmo, Curtis, and Skyi decided to go to Shampoo Nightclub here in Philly for its Shaft Friday hosted by none other than Simply Christopher. Here's a minute of their night. Notice each mood: Belmo's first, followed by Curtis, and ending with Skyi.

A Pic Says A Thousand Words - FIBO 2008

Saturday August 9, 2008 marked the sixth annual Fire Island Black Out (F.I.B.O.) day at the beach where a few thousand lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of color were in attendance to take in some rays of sunlight on a picture perfect midsummer afternoon. Belmo, Ian, and I braced the five-hour early morning commute from Philadelphia to Cherry Grove Fire Island, New York just so that we can witness the North East's summer pride season finale for the LGBT community.

The following is a series of photographs taking at the event along with a caption below each shot stating what I think was going on at the time. Each picture speaks volumes. What does it say to you?

"Alright everyone, watch your step while boarding the ferry. Have your tickets ready. There's plenty of room. All aboard!"

"Welcome to Fire Island"

(Curtis) - "The island ain't ready for all this. I said they just ain't READY"

(orange shorts guy) - "It's early. The men will be here, TRUST ME."

(guy in black shorts) - "That guy looks good right there- yes, yes. OWWW!!!

(right guy) - "Hey Baby, how've you been? I knew you would be here. Wanna take a walk with me down to the Dunes?"

(sitting guy) - "Let me know how the water is cause I'm working on my tan."

(right guy) -"I know he ain't taking a picture of us?" (left guy)- "Fuck him! Act like he ain't he ain't there. Just keep your swagger up."

(guy on left) - "This is as far out as I'm going. I'm too drunk to go any further."

(right guy) - "Altogether now, one step, two step, one step, two step."

"See Man, I told you that you can wear thongs out here and no one cares."

"Should I show one titty or two?"

(sista) - "I'll let you take one picture with me and that's it. This is my time to shine."

(left man) - "You see what all these black men do to me?"

(Belmo) - "Okay, if I run into the water then it won't be so cold."

(sitting guy) - "Aw, I should have brought my dog.

(rest of guys except center guy) - "Me too!"

(Ian) - "Who needs the meat rack with all this standing before you?"

(right guy) - " Man, it's way more folks out this year compared to last year. You see this shit?! Damn!"

(left guy) - "If this winds up on You Tube, we gonna fuck you up."

"I'm gonna eat good today"

(Curtis) - "You know it's on when we get home?"

(Belmo) - "Uh huh."

(guy with glasses) - "What a sight to see. All those beautiful black guys and girls...here...in our town? Who woulda thunk it?"

Until next year....

The Fourth Of July.... Fire Island Style

Independence Day was spent differently this year. For the past 7 years, I had to work that holiday so when I discovered I was off, I knew it would be a reason to celebrate. Unfortunately, Belmo didn't have that luxury. He had to work which sucked for me. I wanted to spend the day in a way that I've never before. That way was on the beach, in Fire Island, during the Invasion. The Fire Island Invasion welcomes drag queens and kings from far and near and embraces their freedom to be different on a day remembered for granting liberty and justice for all people. My friend Ian was about as gung-ho as I was for this trip to New York so we embark early Friday morning in the overcast and rainy weather with a glimmer of hope that the sun would shine over our destination.

Here's a taste of Fire Island Invasion 2008.

City Of Brotherly Love, Pride, And, Unity

Every second Sunday in June, Philadelphia celebrates Gay Pride Month with a parade commencing in the Gayborhood. Participants march down Market Street to the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing where they can watch a concert on the Main Stage, snack on fast food, acquire information pertaining to the LGBT community, and or brouse at rainbow paraphenilia from the many vendors.

Mayor Michael Nutter made an apperance to presence Emmy winner, Broadway star, and Pride Day headliner Bruce Vilanch with the Liberty Bell award for his contributions to the LGBT community.

Belmo and Curtis

After the Pride gathering at Penn's Landing, Belmo and I made our way to the 33rd annual Odunde festival. Located along South Street and stretching from 21st Street to Grays Ferry Ave, the Odunde celebration marks the African New Year originated by the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa. Odunde displays traditional foods, dance forms, music, artwork, crafts, jewelry, and clothes.

You're bound to run into friends at Odunde. Above, we are joined by Skyi and Juwanna and below, sisters Kim (foreground) and Regina holding their mom.

Even Obama was there.